Side Effects

The most common side effect of these
biologics is an allergic reaction to the injection (shot) or infusion (medicine
given in a vein, intravenously, or IV). If you have a reaction to the shot or
infusion, it will happen right away, either during the infusion or within 1 to
2 hours after the infusion or shot. Your doctor may give you medicines to
prevent or stop the reaction.

Warnings have been issued about serious side effects of
these biologics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the medicine’s
manufacturers have warned about:

An increased risk of a serious infection. TNF antagonists affect
your body's ability to fight all infections. So if you get a fever, cold, or
the flu while you are taking this medicine, let your doctor know right
away.

An increased risk of blood or nervous system disorders. Call
your doctor if you have symptoms of blood disorders (such as bruising or
bleeding) or symptoms of nervous system problems (such as numbness, weakness,
tingling, or vision problems).

A possible increased risk of
developing
lymphoma (a type of blood cancer). It is not clear
whether this increase is because of the drug or because people with this
disease may already have a higher risk.3 There have
been reports of a rare kind of lymphoma, occurring mostly in children and teens
taking some of these biologics, that often results in death.

An
increased risk of liver injuries. Call your doctor if your skin starts to look
yellow, if you are very tired, or if you have dark brown urine and/or a
fever.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

The safety of long-term treatment
with biologics is not known.

These medicines probably will have to
be taken for long periods of time—possibly even for life.

Because
biologics interfere with the
immune system, it's possible that they may
raise your risk of infection,
anemia, and possibly even cancer. Medicines that
suppress the immune system are not usually given to people with impaired immune
systems. If you take biologic drugs, you may have periodic tests for
tuberculosis.